It was a normal Saturday and I took out my phone to check the time. When I did, my whole look on college basketball changed. I had gotten a text from ESPN saying that Syracuse University and Pittsburgh had applied to switch into the Atlantic Coast Conference. SU would be switched out of what many referred to as the most prestigious college basketball conference.

I’ve been reading quite a few articles since the big news and in doing so; I’ve noticed two underlying influences: football and money.

When talks started last year about realigning conferences, the stability of
Syracuse’s future was at stake. They needed to find a more permanent home that would benefit all sports. In the Big East conference not all the members participate in college football. And living in Syracuse, we know that for the past two years, SU football has been on the rise. Moving to the ACC means more big time games for football which means a higher chance of becoming a Bowl Championship Series worthy team.

Money is a deciding factor in everything. The Big East, although it declined the latest offer, and the ACC both have contracts with ESPN. The difference though is the revenue. The Big East was said to have made $1 billion over 9 years. In the ACC’s current contract, it is getting $1.86 billion over 12 years.

Although these changes seem to have many benefits, I’m still heartbroken. Since I’ve discovered my desire to become a sports journalist, it’s been my dream to cover Syracuse basketball in the Big East tournament. It took me a few days to realize that my dream will never come true. I understand that I could still cover SU basketball, but to me, it will never be the same.

- Emily Mein is a senior at Paul V. Moore High School in Central Square